Sistemas socioecológicos costeiros: uma análise integrativa para a conservação da pesca no Brasil

Abstract

Promoting fisheries conservation in Brazil is important given its dense hydrographic network and its huge coastline, marked by a strong dependence on this ecosystem service by the society. It is known that the majority of fish stocks are overexploited worldwide, risking the sustainability of fisheries and the livelihoods of human communities that depend on these resources. In this context, fishing management strategies are important for maintaining the stocks and sustainability of these communities. However, if poorly planned, these strategies can interfere in the resilience of socioecological systems and in the provision of ecosystem services. In this study, socioeconomic, political and ecological relations of the marine socioecological system were investigated using an integrative analysis along the Brazilian coast. Information on the regional fishing dynamics, socioeconomic aspects, geographic and ecological variables were collected from online databases. Questionnaires were also used to collect data directly with fishers. In the first chapter, the current situation of fish stocks of some endangered species was analyzed, as well as the changes of these stocks and the economic gains from fishing under different conservation scenarios. In the second chapter, a vulnerability index was created to assess the socioecological vulnerability of coastal states. Finally, in the third chapter, fishers’ compliance behavior and its consequences to the sustainability of fisheries were analyzed in fishing communities in the Northeastern Brazil. Our findings can be used in the zoning and selection of areas for conservation actions, and in the implementation of new management strategies or evaluation of those already in place. It is expected that this study will contribute to the maintenance of fishing activities, the protection of fishing resources and the sustainability of the fishing communities.